1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am writing to express deep concern regarding the proposed policy decision to reduce or revoke the recognition of nursing programs as professional degrees. Such a change would have far-reaching and harmful consequences for students, healthcare institutions, and the broader public. Nursing education is not only academically rigorous but essential to the functioning of our healthcare system. Redefining or downgrading these programs would place countless prospective nursing students at risk of losing access to critical federal grants and financial-aid programs. Without this support, many individuals—especially those from lower-income backgrounds—would be forced to take on high-interest, often predatory private loans to pursue a career that is indispensable to our nation’s well-being. At a time when the United States continues to face a severe nursing shortage, we should be doing everything possible to strengthen and expand pathways into the profession. This policy would do the opposite. It would discourage prospective students from pursuing nursing education, exacerbate workforce shortages, and ultimately jeopardize patient care and public health outcomes. Nurses are highly trained professionals who serve on the front lines of our healthcare system every day. Their education deserves to be fully recognized, respected, and supported—not diminished. I strongly urge you to reconsider and reverse this decision. Protecting access to nursing education is not only an investment in students; it is an investment in the safety, resilience, and future of our entire country.